Problems and Prospects of Informal Plastic Recycling Industries in Dhaka City

Abstract

Plastic goods have become so much a part of our lives that we can no longer do without them. Though the City Dwellers of Dhaka are somehow concerned about the harmful elTectsof plastic produClsto environment and civic life. They are exposed to different negative consequences likc inhaling noxious gases emitted from different unauthorized/informal plastic industries established in rcsidcntial and other areas of Dhaka City. Another troubles of plastics arc their longevity. If they are not properly dealt with, these can cause harm to soil, human health & drainage system. So, managing these plastic wastes has become a matter of great concern for all. Recycling of plastic wastes has become an important part of urban planning for saving costs both of manufacture and of waste management. It makes delay of plastic wastes return to environment. An environment-conseious world has made the lalter imperative mare worthy of careful consideration The Informal Plastic Recycling Industries can play an important role in managing plastic wastes and hence improving quality of environment of Dhaka City. They not only provide employment to a large number of urban poor of Dhaka City but also produce a wide range of goods from recycled plastie waste that are supposed to be left to cause environmental degradation of Dhaka City. The present study tries to give an alternative thought to decision-makers and environmentalists to come forward 10 combating plastic waste problem through recycling them in different informal plastic recycling industries. The study gives brief ideas of the location, technology, recyele and trade chain, raw materials used, employees, backward and forward linkages, outputs and faetors inftuencing the establishments of these industries in Dhaka City. Finally the problems of these informal plastic-recycling industries are identified and priority ranked to draw policy guidelines and hence b'liidetheir prosperity in near future